Three Girls’ real life Rochdale sexual health worker Sara Rowbotham thrills viewers as she appears First Dates

FIRST Dates fans were stunned when Rochdale whistleblower Sara Rowbotham featured on Tuesday night's show.

The real life sexual health worker, who famously lifted the lid on the horrific Rochdale paedophile gang, almost left viewers in tears as she revealed how her determination to save the young girls being abused had led to her love life being affected.

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During her date with the woman picked for her by the production team, Sara spoke frankly about the difficulty of her job.

Admitting she had been single for over eight years, she told her date: "I was really involved with my work in social services, it was all-encompassing, it was child sexual exploitation in Rochdale.

"Children told me that they were being sexually abused and trying to get other people to do anything about it was really difficult. That went on for almost 10 years before anyone did anything."

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Sara admitted in her piece to camera that she was ready to live her life again.

She began to cry as she explained: "I feel like I’m coming out of a difficult dark time. I was a big fireball at the time, I became really angry all the time.
 "I’m ready to start to live my life again and be able to have nice times and not be so stressed or anxious or angry."

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"I'm ready to not be so worried and stressed... to be care free."

Viewers flocked to Twitter as one wrote: "Wow its Sara! Bless her hope she finds love, amazing woman! #firstdates"

Another added: "OMG Sara Row botha from #threegirls is on #firstdates. Hope she finds love."

One viewers wrote: "I don't think Sara's date is 'right'. Sara needs someone to care for her. She's been a caregiver for so long. Her turn. #FirstDates."

Sadly, Sara did not find love with her date on the night but Twitter was flooded with kind words from viewers sharing their well-wishes and thanks for her sacrifices to help save the girls.

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The BBC drama telling the story of Sara's battle against the Rochdale paedo gang won rave reviews when it aired last week.

She was portrayed on screen by Maxine Peake who was praised for her powerful performance and fans called for Sara to be knighted for her role in saving the girls.

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